I am the Queen

"Such a busybody," Evangeline said at the side as Satele went her way.

"Lilybella thinks we should go back."

"Shut up. It's not like we're lost, and it's not like we're crossing a fast current river. It's just a stream. Come on. I spot something like a cave there," Evangeline said and pulled Lilybella towards the stream.

"See? It's just around your ankle, and the current isn't even strong to drown you to death," Evangeline said as she crossed to the other side.

"It's not about the river. It's about getting caught and face the consequences."

"What consequences? You mean they could still punish you even though there is no more class? What are they going to do? Make you clean the entire mountain?" Evangeline laughed.

Lilybella puffed her cheeks. "The teacher might scold Lilybella, and Lilybella doesn't like to be scolded. And this could leave a mark on Lilybella's perfect record."

Evangeline rolled her eyes. "Daniel scolds you all the time." She then let go of Lilybella's arm as she went ahead and inspected the cave. It reminded her of the first time Eric brought her to a cave. It was magical enough to put a smile on her face at just the memory.

"We should definitely inspect what's inside. We might find something like a treasure chest," Evangeline said with a chuckle.

. . .

. . .

"Lilybella?"

Evangeline turned when Lilybella didn't answer. Her brows then meet on the corner of her forehead at the sight of unfamiliar girls surrounding them. "Who are you?"

One of them held Lilybella by the arm, and a sharp knife glistened near her throat.

"Hello, Evangeline. So irritating to know that you're having fun," one of the girls said.

Evangeline's eyebrow rose. "Do I know you?"

The smirked on the girl's face fell. "Of course. You're so high up in your throne that you don't even recognize the faces of those who you trampled on."

"Huh? I don't even know you," Evangeline said in a calm tone though cold sweet run on her back. The knife on Lilybella's throat was enough to make her limbs shook. One wrong move, and it could be it. The bunch of girls looked like typical bullies in school. She doubted they would do anything to bring them harm with a public place like this, but she didn't want to take her chances, especially with a knife pressed against Lilybella's neck.

"You already forgot who were are?" Another girl came out from the crowd, face teary with anger. "You don't remember the face of your classmates who you made their life hell just because of a simple prank?"

Evangeline's stoic face remained unperturbed until recognition shook her expression. "Oh. You're Nana and Anna!"

"It's Nina!"

"It's Ann!"

"Whatever." Evangeline flipped her hair. "So what are you guys doing here? The last time I heard you migrated out of the country."

"Yeah, no thanks to you, we had to transfer schools," Ann sneered, face warped in anger. "Our life hadn't been easy since then. All because you cause our company to go bankrupt for just a simple prank."

"Don't blame me. Blame yourselves. Who told you to lock me in the storage?" Evangeline replied.

"And just because of that, you cause our company to go bankrupt? Isn't that too much?" Nina spat.

Evangeline looked at the grim faces of the two. There was something different about them. They no longer held that innocent eyes and mischievous spirit like before. All she saw was wild hunger for revenge.

"So what now?" Evangeline said, "You here to get revenge? If so, do you want me to beg and ask for forgiveness?"

Warp giggles rumbled for a minute, and Evangeline and Lilybella knew what was going to happen. And it wouldn't be pretty.

"W-w-whatever it is, violence is not the answer," Lilybella stuttered.

"Shut up," Ann hissed. Then her eyes focused on Evangeline, grinning as she said, "We don't want your apology. What we want is far . . . expensive than that."

Evangeline's brows rose. "You want money?" She then huffed a sigh. "If this is what is all about, no need for all of this. How much do you want?"

"Oh, it's not just going to be a simple one payment time only," one of the girls said. From her posture and the way she talked, she seemed to be the leader. 

"We're going to bleed you dry," she said, laughing. "The names Gina by the way. Little Ann and Nina said that you are rich and that you owe them big time. And since we are a sorority and sisters have to look out for each other, we might as well settle the score and extort you money at the same time."

Gina then sized Evangeline up and down. "You have a nice body and very pretty to boot. I'm sure many patrons will want your pictures. Naked, of course. But if you don't want that, you can always pay us the monthly fee."

. . .

. . .

Lilybella's eyes were brimming with tears as she was contemplating to scream or not. The cold metal against her throat prevented her from even moving her lips.

"So let's get this straight. You want me to pose pictures for you. Naked?" Evangeline said with a dry laugh.

"T-teacher, don't!" Lilybella finally managed a squeaked. "T-they're not really serious about killing me. They are just scaring you!"

"Shut up!"

Lilybella's scream was trapped against the lump in her throat as she felt the metal sliced her neck and the warm blood tickled her skin.

"One more word from you, and I swear this pretty neck of yours would carry nothing but air," said the girl holding Lilybella. "We might not be able to kill you, but we assure you that you'll regret ever opening your mouth."

"No need to hurt her," Evangeline said, voice and face calm. "I'll do whatever you say." Then her eyes stared at Gina and the others. "But I warn you. You'll never get away with it afterwards."

The girls looked at each other and laugh.

Gina smirked and approached Evangeline. She stopped almost a breath away, and stared into her eyes. "Do you know how many . . . clients we have? For years we do this kind of stuff, and we never get caught. Do you know why? Because we will make you do embarrassing things enough that if your videos get circulated, you'll want to die rather than live."

She then hopped away and swept her eyes around. "And look around you. We're in a secluded area. Unless someone dares enough to go up the mountains, no one would see us."

Evangeline knew that. Apparently, they were waiting for her to be alone. A cave hid them, and unless someone did get up the mountains which she doubted since it was too high up to climb, no one would see them.

"Don't lump me with your clients. I'm different," Evangeline threatened.

Gina just laughed. "That's what they always say. But until now, they still remained quiet."

"Enough of this," Anna interrupted, "let's get this done and over with before someone comes along."

Gina just shrugged and brought out her phone. "Let's start then. Since we don't have much time, I appreciate it if you hurry and undress.. Least you want cuts all over your friend's flawless skin."